Stress management is successful when I reach out to a variety of tools. One of my favorite tools is what I call non-food rewards. I enjoy rewarding myself for a successful week, day, project, etc. I just can't do it all with food. Enter my non-food reward ideas! These work for me and they may or may not work for you. Feel free to comment so I can add your ideas to my ever growing list friends!
1 • Books - I will take them in any form: audio, eBook, paperback, you get the point. I also treasure a few moments to read or listen to my books.
2 • Writing - I love to write and finding time to do it is a reward. I have a journal, a blog and I also write professionally.
3 • Coffee Shop visit - I enjoy going to a coffee shop to write or to work on a project. I can work anywhere but making a visit to a coffee shop is usually a treat for me.
4 • Thrift store visit - I consider myself to be a frugal person who knows quality when she sees it. A visit to the thrift store is a frugal treasure hunt I enjoy.
5 • Bubble bath - I use them to combat stress as well as to treat my marathoner body. Win-win!
6 • Mani/Pedi - my weekly treat. I've done my own and saved thousands of dollars in the past 21 years (hello frugal lady!). The results I get from getting my nails done are pretty fantastic.
7 • Swimming - I love swimming because I get to be in my own head for a while. I love that it is a fantastic exercise and it is gentle on my joints.
8 • Seeing a friend - the ultimate stress fighting treat! I don't see my friends to dump all my problems on them. I see them because I love them and I want to hear how they are doing. I get to get out of my own head for a while and share from a heart level. Friendship is an indescribable gift.
9 • Music - the first thing that disappears when I'm stressed is the song. I make an effort to add music to my life as a treat and as a way to fight stress. It works and it is a gift from God. I'll add more details later if anyone is interested.
10 • Zeke - spending time with my husband is a gift, a treat, a daily blessing I truly treasure. I have learned not to lock myself in my own pain but to share my heart with him. Zeke gives me so much needed perspective in everything. He gives me wisdom, comfort, and so much joy. Marriage is a tremendous blessing and Zeke is the greatest gift God has ever given me in this side of heaven.
I started WW for the third time 11 weeks ago. I challenged myself to reach a certain weight loss number and I will press on and see what I get next week. Of course, I will keep going until I reach lifetime status.
I've learned that I am not immune to stress and the realities of life. I also know that I can't let difficulties paralyze me: I must press on towards my health goal. The fact that I realized all of this does not make me better or special. It makes me completely responsible for the body and life God gave me.
You. You have what it takes. Remember, if you learned, you really haven't failed. Pick yourself up, learn those lessons and try again today. Small steps will get you there.
Thank you for joining me on this journey!
Coming up next week: I start marathon training this weekend and I'm one of the Head Coaches in our running group. My challenge is to do things differently than I did them for the past 5 years. How differently? I need to pay attention to nutrition, rest, hydration and I need not feel entitled to eat whatever I want due to the increasing mileage on weekends.
Stats:
WW start weight: 175 lbs
Current: 151 lbs
First Goal: 150 lbs
Second Goal: 146 lbs
Third Goal: 136 lbs
Previously in this Series:
• First week of WW
• WW Speak
• Premeditated Portion Control
• Weights and Measures
• Time
• Carbs & WW
• Proof of Weight Loss
• Why I started
WW start weight: 175 lbs
Current: 151 lbs
First Goal: 150 lbs
Second Goal: 146 lbs
Third Goal: 136 lbs
Previously in this Series:
• First week of WW
• WW Speak
• Premeditated Portion Control
• Weights and Measures
• Time
• Carbs & WW
• Proof of Weight Loss
• Why I started
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